Study Finds Greater Risk of Death From Type 2 Diabetes in Patients With Learning Disabilities

UK individuals that have learning disabilities progress faster to severe type 2 diabetes (T2D), placing them at a greater risk of dying from the condition compared with individuals without a learning disability, according to findings published by investigators in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Control. The study authors noted that this progression occurs despite having better overall blood glucose and similar risks of vascular complications.^1,2

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Learning Disabilities' Relation to Increased Risk of T2D

Learning disabilities are moderately common, impacting about 5% of school-aged children globally. In the UK, nearly 1.5 million individuals have a learning disability, including about 950,000 adults with conditions including Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. This population faces a higher risk of chronic illnesses, such as T2D, due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors. Additionally, individuals with learning disabilities have a significantly lower life expectancy, passing about 20 years sooner than those without a learning disability.^1,3

The study authors noted that managing T2D in individuals with learning disabilities could present challenges for patients and health care providers, as self-managing the condition requires continuous monitoring of diet, blood sugar levels, exercise, and medication, which is sometimes difficult to handle. Additionally, cognitive impairment can delay communication with caregivers and health care providers, potentially leading to poorer health outcomes.^1,2

Understanding How a Learning Disability Can Impact Diabetes Care

Researchers conducted an observational cohort study using primary care electronic health records from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CRPD) to better understand how a learning disability can impact diabetes care and its results.^1,2

The study included 280,300 adults diagnosed with T2D between 2004 and 2021 and evaluated how having a learning disability at the time of diagnosis impacted the patients’ health. Using multivariable logic regression models, researchers compared glycemic control 5 years after diagnosis between individuals with and without learning disabilities. Additionally, the researchers used multivariable Cox regression to compare the time it took patients to start insulin, develop complications that affected large and small blood vessels, and the time to death.^1,2

Among the total number of individuals included in the study, 2074 had a learning disability when they were diagnosed with T2D, with an average age of 51 years. After accounting for potential influential risk factors, the researchers found that individuals with learning disabilities had a lower chance of poor glycemic control and were quicker to start insulin treatment compared to individuals without a learning disability; however, they faced more than double the risk of death from all causes and from diabetes-related issues. Despite this, a difference in the risk of developing vascular complications between the 2 groups was not demonstrated.^1,2

“Our finding of higher rates of insulin initiation in those with learning disabilities warrants further investigation into whether this is due to poorer glycemic control at presentation (and therefore faster advancing type 2 diabetes) or due to having a greater degree of clinical surveillance,” the study authors said in a news release.²

The findings suggest that despite having better glycemic control and similar vascular complications, individuals with learning disabilities remain at a higher risk of death following a diabetes diagnosis, emphasizing the need for further support and research for this patient population.^1,2

“Future research into the mechanisms behind this could help reduce health disparities for people with [type 2 diabetes] and learning disabilities,” the study authors said in the news release.²

REFERENCES

1. Wing A, Mathur R. The impact of learning disabilities on control, management, and outcomes of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the UK: an observational cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. 2025;13:e004879. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2024-004879

2. People with learning disabilities seem to progress faster to severe type 2 diabetes. EurekAlert! News release. September 2, 2025. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1096293

3. Learning Disabilities and Disorders. Cleveland Clinic. News release. Updated January 16, 2024. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4865-learning-disabilities-what-you-need-to-know